Interview: Amazing 2022 Arkansas RB Joe Himon Playing Far Beyond 3-Star Recruiting Status
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
When a player turns in an All-American kind of season that is on the level of national greatness, a three-star recruiting ranking seems to miss the mark. The efforts of Joe Himon during the 2020 Arkansas high school football season put Pulaski Academy back upon their perch atop the 5A classification with a 13-0 season topped by a dominating 64-27 championship game victory. Himon rolled for over 3,000 all-purpose yards dominating his way to hoisting that trophy.
After an All-State performance during his sophomore season, everyone in the Natural State knew what Himon could do on the field. During the 2019 campaign, he rushed for 1,300 yards with 16 scores off 128 carries and secured 47 passes for 738 more yards with five more touchdowns. His role on special teams had a greater feature then compiling 395 kick return yards.
What did the 5-10, 180-pound, three-star recruit do for an encore? He rushed for 1,925 yards off 189 totes with 23 scores and hauled in 80 passes for 1,068 yards with nine more visits in the end zone. Asked to take the ball out of bounds on kick returns, Himon’s 32 yards helped push him over the 3,000-yard mark for the year.
With a 4.42 time posted in the 40, production on the field that is off the charts, and six scholarship offers in hand, Himon sat down for another detailed RNG conversation.
*Click link for May 2020 RNG interview with Joe Himon
Interview
Joe, the Bruins offense had to be among the best in the country taking the opposition to the woodshed for 50.7 points per game on average. With a team so well-oiled, how were defenses trying to slow you guys down?
Teams were trying to spread it out so we could not go deep, but we’d go underneath then go deep.
In which ways were the coaches getting the rock into your hands this season?
My coaches had me getting the ball on inside zone plays, outside sweeps, screens, and I was at slot running routes. I was doing it all this year.
You put together one of the best all-around performances in the country for the 2020 season showcasing the speed as a ball carrier and receiving threat. You had a great sophomore season, but you nearly eclipsed that effort with your rushing yards in 2020. At what point did you start truly dominating the opposition with your talents?
I’d say about halfway through the season is when I got comfortable. My teammates pushed me hard; I had a strong connection with my teammates this season.
Doing as well as you did, seems like everything lined up perfectly for you, but we all know that is not true. What adversity did you face on the field during your junior run?
I’d say within the first few games, I was not scoring as much. I was getting good yardage but I had to step it up to help the team score more.
How did that challenge help make you a better player?
It made me better because I had to tell myself to step it up more.
Which game did you play at a peak performance?
I’d say my best all-around game was against Little Rock Christian during the season.
Why did you pick that game?
I had over 300 yards in that game and three touchdowns.
Because you were so prolific, what was the chatter from the opposing teams towards you on the field? Did they talk at first and then shut up, or start of quiet and stay that way?
Most teams did not say stuff to me, but they might talk to my teammates, then I would show them why they shouldn’t be talking to us.
The team took home another Arkansas state championship with a 64-27 statement win against Little Rock Christian. How did it feel walking off the field knowing all your hard work will be recognized forever?
It felt amazing. All the hard work, and going through the pandemic, it is an amazing feeling knowing we are state champions.
How long after that last game did you give your body some time to rest up and recover?
We played on Saturday; I took one day of rest. I went straight into basketball after that.
How is the basketball season going?
It is going good right now. We are not playing games, but when we come back from Christmas break we will.
With football, what is your offseason workout focus?
My focus is getting bigger and stronger, and maintaining my speed.
Let’s get into recruiting. Which schools are showing interest after the All-American caliber season you turned in?
There are a couple of schools showing interest, Kansas State, Colorado, Louisiana Tech, Northwestern, and Rice. Those are a few that are showing interest but have not offered.
How many offers do you have?
I have six offers.
Which program was the last to offer?
The last one was Louisville.
Himon Offer Sheet: Arkansas State, Kansas, Louisville, Memphis, New Mexico, and SMU
Nice. When visits pick back up again in 2021, are there any schools you’d like to see?
I am trying to take as many as possible. I’d like to see Louisville, Kansas, SMU, and Memphis. Everyone that has offered, I want to see as soon as I can.
When you talk to college coaches, what are they telling you they like about your abilities?
They are saying they like how I can change the game, that I am a big-time playmaker, and that my talent would be a great fit at their school.
Joe, it was a lot of fun catching up with you today. Congratulations on the fantastic season and championship, wishing you the same success with your basketball season.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Himon family; Joe Himon